Palpable sense of loss at Mill devastation

Published: 30 July, 2011

Cllr Mc Mahon, who was at the scene for most of this morning summed up the feelings of the local community saying,

"Given that thousands of local people from Sion, Strabane and surrounding areas worked at the 'Mill' down through the years there is a palpable sense of loss at the devastation that has been caused by this fire.

"While the cause has yet to be officially established people in the local community are in no doubt that it was arson and the sense of loss is coupled with deep anger that anyone would deliberately set out to destroy what is such a central feature of our local built heritage..

"While the full extent of the damage will not become clear for a few days this fire has undoubtedly delivered a setback in the efforts to redevelop the mill and the 60 acre site it stands on for the socio-economic benefit of the people of this area. However, this setback will hopefully reinforce everyones determination to forge ahead." ENDS